CHENNAI: As the northeast monsoon approaches, instead of ensuring that water channels are free from encroachments, Pallavaram Municipality is planning to build a road for encroachments on a major water channel at Chromepet.
The residents fear that the road will further sroad plan hrink the canal and increase inundation during monsoons. Presently, the 15-feet canal has been reduced to three feet in most areas.
The Public Works Department (PWD) in 2017 had identified over 80 encroachments on the canal at Shanthi Nagar, Lakshmi Nagar and Thiruvallur Nagar. However, it has demolished and rehabilitated less than 20 encroachments. While 13 encroachments were demolished at Shanthi Nagar in April, four were brought down at Lakshmi Nagar. “The demolition at Lakshmi Nagar opened up access to Naidu Shop Street and it is learnt that residents have rallied under a former municipal councillor for an accessway,” said Madhan Mohan, a resident.
When Express visited the site on Sunday, it found encroachments shrinking the canal to three feet in certain areas and even using planks on the canal as parking spots for vehicles.
After Express exposed Pallavaram Municipality for filling in the eviction site at Shanthi Nagar with rubble to form a road in July, PWD restored the section. However, the department had failed to remove the rubble from Lakshmi Nagar, which means rainwater will flood the localities on its way to Pallavaram Periya Eri.
Officials in Pallavaram
Municipality said a road is being planned after requests from residents. “But, the road will be constructed only after PWD removes the marked encroachments and widens the canal,” said an official.